Jeeps are amazing vehicles with a lot of capability for off-road driving. However, even the best jeeps can benefit from some modifications and upgrades, especially if you plan to hit the trails. One of the most important modifications to make is to upgrade your Jeep track bar. But what is a Jeep track bar? What does it do? And why do you need one? Keep reading to find out.
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What is a Jeep Track Bar?
A Jeep track bar is a critical part of your suspension system. It connects the axle to the frame and keeps everything centered. If you lose proper center, it can lead to loss of control, vibration, poor handling on roads, or other problems.
Jeep track bars are mounted below the axle and attached to both sides of your frame near the front tire mounts. They keep all four tires on the ground when driving at high speeds over rough terrain.
Imagine you’re driving over a series of large rocks in one wheel path keeping each tire on its row would be quite difficult without some help from your track bar. You may also hear it referred to as an end link, drag link (on older model Jeeps), radius arm, or track bar arm.
Types of Track Bars
Today you can find replacement track bars in several sizes, including standard, heavy-duty or adjustable versions. Much like larger versions of other Jeeps parts, the different types are designed to fit specific makes and models.
Most manufacturers also have their design for this part so that it can work with their system. The three most common types include:
Standard
This type has a fixed length between mounting holes at either end of the bar. It does not move or change its position during use. Because of the lack of flexibility it provides, this version is usually found on smaller vehicles with limited suspension capacity.
Adjustable
Many newer vehicles use this type of track bar because it makes the ride smoother and more stable for passengers. This type features two mounting points instead of one, with each end attached to a sliding bracket that allows the length of the bar to expand or contract during use. It effectively changes its position depending on the weight and speed of your car to maximize performance.
Heavy Duty
Manufactured from larger materials than adjustable types, heavy-duty versions also have additional support in key areas where stress is likely to break the part apart. Rolling resistance and extra shock absorption keep your Jeep running smooth no matter what obstacles you face up ahead.
Roles of a Jeep Track Bar
A Jeep roller track bar is the vertical support frame for your front axle. Your Jeep’s suspension generally is made up of two axles and leaf springs, which help your vehicle reach its destination by taking on some of the car’s weight and shock absorption duties.
The job of these parts is to reduce stress on the other components in your suspension system and allow you to ride smoother and more comfortably even when driving over tough obstacles like rocks, large bumps, or ruts.
An important part of that process is the track bar, which connects to both sides of your front axle housing. Because it attaches both left-to-right between the arms, this device reduces side-to-side swaying. If your track bar is worn and corroded, your vehicle will not ride smoothly and sway in every direction instead of just up and down like it should.
Problems With Your Jeep Track Bar
If your track bar gets worn out, you’ll notice a few things about your car. First, the tracking will be much less stable than normal. You may also feel odd or weighty steering. These are signs that something is not right with your track bars and they should be inspected by an auto mechanic as soon as possible to avoid further problems later on.
Replacing these parts if they’re damaged could save you hundreds of dollars in costly repairs down the road – especially since uninstalling and re-installing track bars can take several hours if done correctly.
There are a few other signs and symptoms to look out for that may indicate that your Jeep track bar needs replacing. Among them include:
Uneven or odd steering
If you feel like your vehicle is not tracking the same as usual, it could be due to a bad Jeep track bar. See if you notice any difference in how it drives, such as feeling like one side sways more than the other. If so, there’s a good chance the part has been loosened from previous attempts at fixing this problem.
Banging or popping sounds when turning corners or going over bumps
Another sign of a worn-out track bar is hearing loud clunking noises when driving over rough terrain or making wide turns at high speeds. These sounds indicate excess movement of the front axle, which may have been caused by a loose track bar.
Excessive sway or hopping during turns, bumps, or rough roads
Sharp speed bumps and washboard roads can shake your Jeep from the front to back – especially if the track bar has been degraded. If you notice your vehicle bouncing wildly as it goes over undulating roads, there’s a good chance that the track bar is not sturdy enough to hold everything together as it should.
Why You Should Upgrade
If you notice your Jeep driving funny, one of the first things to check is how worn out your track bar is. If it’s not in good shape or has been messed with before, then this could be why. When the car doesn’t handle well during turns, finding replacements for these parts can help take care of that problem once and for all.
The main reason people choose to upgrade their Jeeps’ track bars is to increase performance during off-roading. When the bar gets worn out, it will cause your Jeep to have a shorter turning radius. This can lead to slower speeds when negotiating tough terrain and more damage to the vehicle when colliding with rocks or other obstacles.
There are many benefits to owning upgraded Jeeps’ track bars – especially if they were stock ones because they will likely break eventually anyway. And since most upgrades come with additional pieces like bushings and end links, you also get more for your money by upgrading them instead of purchasing a whole new set altogether.
Another reason is to help your steering. If the car doesn’t track properly, you may feel that your steering wheel isn’t in line with where you want it to be. You may also lose control of it if the track bar becomes too loose. Replacing this mechanism with an upgraded part is one way around these issues because they’re constructed from better materials than stock ones are.
One benefit of an upgraded jeep track bar is increased performance during off-roading – especially when used in addition to upgraded control arms. Another benefit is better handling during turns because you won’t have to fight your car’s steering or correct when going around corners. Most importantly, these parts hold up over time much better than stock ones do.
What Are The Upgrades for Your Track Bar?
When it comes to upgrading track bars, there are a few things you can do.
- You can choose aftermarket ones that have a larger diameter than stock. This makes the bar more sturdy so it doesn’t bend as easily during hard turns on bumpy terrain or when going over obstacles.
- Another way is to replace it with a double-shear design that prevents breakage from occurring.
- It’s also possible to upgrade by changing out your bushings as well as end links as part of the process too. In addition, these parts usually come in various sizes and styles – all of which will make a difference in how your Jeep performs on tough roads and off-road environments alike.
- Many upgrades also include fasteners for better performance on the go. If you want to turn your Jeep into a more capable off-roading vehicle, these upgrades will help you do just that.
Conclusion
Many people don’t know that their track bar is a vital part of how their vehicle performs. If it’s not in good shape or has already been broken before, replacing it can help give you better control over your car as well as make it more reliable on the road.
In addition to helping you steer properly and allowing your off-roading Jeep to perform at its best, upgrading parts like these also come as an alternative to having to buy new ones whenever they break on you.
The Jeep Track Bar is a critical component in the steering system, and it’s designed to reduce bump steer. If you notice problems with your vehicle’s handling or alignment, check out our link for an upgrade. We offer different styles of track bars that can help solve any problem you might be having with your car’s suspension system.
